SAN MATEO COUNCIL PASSES MEDICAL MARIJUANA ORDINANCE

The San Mateo City Council on Monday unanimously approved adding an
ordinance that regulates the cultivation and storage of medical
marijuana to its municipal code.

Following city procedure, the law will go into effect in 30 days
after the council voted 4-0 in its favor. Council Member Fred Hansson
was absent Monday but voted for the measure with his colleagues at
the council's last meeting.

Under the ordinance, collectives of patients and their caregivers who
grow and store medical pot must register with the city and obtain a
license from the police department, with all members providing their
names, addresses and phone numbers. Licensed collectives must be
located only in the city's manufacturing and commercial zones at
least 500 feet from schools, recreation and youth centers.

The ordinance states that collective members must grow marijuana
indoors and provide adequate security. San Mateo residents who grow
marijuana at home for their own use, or for other people living at
the house, are not subject to these rules.

Last month, Americans for Safe Access spokesman Kris Hermes
criticized the ordinance for requiring registration, which he said
could imperil patients.

However, some patients involved in collectives have said they prefer
to grow pot in cities with clear rules.

In 1996, Californians passed an initiative allowing seriously ill
people to grow and use marijuana with a doctor's recommendation.
Under the measure, the patients' caregivers could also cultivate and
possess the substance.

A 2004 California Senate bill established a voluntary registration
program with identification cards for patients and caregivers.